We have two more excellent papers for you in the July 2014 edition of FlexSim Quarterly. First, university student Abdulkadir Atalan (Clemson University) shares his paper, “Central Composite Design Optimization Using Computer Simulation Approach,” which utilized FlexSim Healthcare for the discrete event simulation component. Then, a joint white paper by individuals from V-Research and Schelling Anlagenbau, “Emulation-based Solutions for Virtual Planning and Commissioning of Production Plants,” examines simulation’s role in finding optimal solutions for performance in cut-to-size plants.

In this edition of FlexSim Quarterly, the focus is in the air. Each of the entries literally deal will a component or factor that will result in flight, but they also demonstrate how a simulation model can be the tool to help an idea or project get off the ground and toward success.

In his letter to the readers, FlexSim CEO Bill Nordgren revisits an experience during a hunting trip with his dog. He shares how the

The Medical Call Center Problem, A Queuing Theory Approach

Thank you to everyone who took part in Case Study Week, either by reading one of the featured research papers or by participating in discussions in your places of work, or on FlexSim social networking channels. We appreciate any feedback you might have about this event. Also, please let us know if you’d like to have your case study featured on the FlexSim blog.

Integrating Fuzzy Expert System with Discrete Event Simulation to Determine Configuration of Resources Level for an Emergency Unit

On day four of Case Study Week, we’re going to examine a paper titled “Integrating Fuzzy Expert System with Discrete Event Simulation to Determine Configuration of Resources Level for an Emergency Unit” by students S. Mohsen Hosseini, Seratun Jannat, and Abdullah Al Khaled of Mississippi State University.

Simulation-based Validation of Lean Plant Configurations

Day three of Case Study Week brings us a paper by Robert Baxter, Trevor Bouk, Dr. Laszlo Tikasz, and Robert I. McCulloch, courtesy of the Bechtel Corporation. Their study, titled “Simulation-based Validation of Lean Plant Configurations”, was published in the Bechtel Technology Journal (December 2009, Volume 2, Number 1).

Automating the Development of Shipyard Manufacturing Models

On day two of Case Study Week, we look at “Automating the Development of Shipyard Manufacturing Models”, a paper by Gabriel A. Burnett, Daniel A. Finke, Dr. D.J. Medeiros, and Dr. Mark T. Traband, all of Pennsylvania State University.

The Design of an Autonomic Controller for Self-Managed Emergency Departments

On day one of Case Study Week, we’re going to examine a paper titled “The Design of an Autonomic Controller for Self-Managed Emergency Departments” by Dr. Serene Al-Momen and Dr. Daniel A. Menascé, who both have connections to George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

A study of sorting and unloading rail cars using Flexsim Simulation Software.

Overview

St. Onge Company, a supply chain engineering firm, was assisting a food processing company in the northeastern United States to expand its facility. An important component of the expansion was a rail operation.

The main rail line branched into multiple end points, called spurs, where rail cars containing raw materials (ex., sucrose, peanuts, vegetable oil) were unloaded. The cars were brought in from the main line and stored in either a spur used exclusively for storage or on an available space along an unloading spur. Each raw material type had